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Google updated their Privacy Policy and Terms of Service today and there are changes to what Google Refers to as “Shared Endorsements” that are good to be aware of if you use Google and their services. I imagine most people reading this probably use Gmail and Google, so you better pay attention.

Shared Endorsements in Google Advertising & Reviews

If you write a review in Google Places using your Google+ profile it might be used in advertising for say a restaurant or review along with your profile picture and name. Additionally Google monitors what you “+1” and what brands you follow to try to figure what your friends, family, and followers might like also. Google refers to this as Shared Endorsements and it is something that is implemented across Google's platform and various services which includes Google Play, Google Maps, and obviously their world famous search engine. Google does explicitly state;

This update to our Terms of Service doesn’t change in any way who you’ve shared things with in the past or your ability to control who you want to share things with in the future.

The reason for Shared Endorsements is that Google believes that they can better serve you what you want to see from recommendations. What if you don't like the idea of Google using your data this way though? You can turn it off if you want but keep in mind Google automatically uses your name and profile picture unless you actively choose to turn of the Shard Endorsements setting. Click here if you want to turn it off and opt out. (You will have to be logged into your Google account.)

Basically if this doesn't make sense to you, Google is just trying to use your data and what you like to better serve you and people you know better targeted ads. If you don't like what Google does, you don't need to use it. Of course… is is possible not to use Google for searching for things online?

By the way they also emphasized that they want people to be careful with their mobile devices while driving. In addition keep you password secure and enable 2-step verification. (If you misplace your phone often then I wouldn't recommend it.)

Anyone have thoughts about Google's update to it's Terms of Service? What do you think of Shared Endorsements?

Google recently sent out emails to users of Google Plus (Google+), Google's social network, inviting them to setup and create a Google Plus Custom URL, aka vanity URL,for their Google Plus Profiles. Here is the email I received and if you use Google+ I assume you got a similar email.

Not everyone is eligible to go and get a Google Plus Custom URL for their Google Plus Profiles though. In Google's support page they state;

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can get a custom URL for your Google+ account or page. This means you can choose one of the custom URLs Google preassigns to your Google+ profile or page.

Google says that accounts must be in good standing to be eligible as well you must have 10 or more followers, have an account that is at least 30 days old, and a photo in you Google Plus Profile. If you got the email I assume you meet all these requirements though.

Some important things to realize is that you can request to change the Google Plus Custom URL if you wish but it may take several days for Google to process and approve the request. In addition once your Google Plus Custom URL has been approved, you will not be able to change it. So make sure it is what you want before you click “Confirm” and go through with the process of getting the Google vanity URL.

It's fairly simple to setup the Google vanity URL. Just follow the prompts in the email you received and it will walk you through it. Google might ask you for a mobile phone number to request for the custom URL and you will have to wait to receive a text with a code to enter for 2-step verification. (I am still waiting for that text from Google actually.)

Google Plus also allows local business pages to get a Google Plus custom URL as well provided it is a verified local business. In addition Google Plus brand pages can also get a Google vanity URL if they wish but it must be linked to a website.

Overall being able to secure a Google custom URL is great news for users of Google Plus including brands and fanpages. Not being able to secure a Google vanity URL was one of the biggest complaints about Google's social network. Virtually ever other social network and bookmarking site allows you to grab a custom URL that is words and not a long string of numbers.

I was surprised that Google didn't roll this feature out when they initially launched Google Plus to be honest. It makes finding and typing in pages easier. People have a hard time remembering long strings of numbers. Well, probably a Google engineer could.

What are your thoughts about being able to get a Google Plus custom URL now? If you are on Google+ do appreciate this? If are a still not on Google+ would this change make you want to setup a profile?